Marlena Shaw - The Spice of Life (1969)

Marlena Shaw started singing in the mid 60`s and has an active career until now. She worked with many influent artists in important record labels starting from Chess following Blue Note (first female in the label), Columbia, Verve and others.

The Spice of Life is her second album release in Cadet Records, a subsidiary of Chess label. Can`t say much about this album but if let me go direct to the point the album-value hit is track n°7, "California Soul".

However this is not the only good track here and for those who think this is just a soul singer album, be careful! Keep in mind the production involves Marlena together with the arrangements of Richard Evans & Charles Stepney! Highlights still include "Woman of Ghetto" and "Liberal Conversation", in my poor opinion..

A lot of influences and genres crossings from blues, r`n`b, jazz, funk and of course soul!

Tracklist:
01. Woman of the Ghetto (6:02)
02. Stormy Monday (3:01)
03. Where Can I Go? (2:21)
04. I'm Satisfied (2:48)
05. I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel to Be Free) (3:12)
06. Liberation Conversation (2:03)
07. California Soul (2:59)
08. Go Away, Little Boy (2:45)
09. Looking Through the Eyes of Love (3:00)
10. Anyone Can Move a Mountain (3:03)

DL 320

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01# This cover comes from the 1977 release which I like much more than the original or recent reissues that keep the original picture.... as you know: taste is taste!

02# I can`t say how many times and by how many diferent artists her tracks have been sampled and remixed.

03# A video edition playing "California Soul" for a quick preview:

Spice it up!!

Chuck Berry - The Latest & The Greatest / You Can Never Tell (1998)

I think I`m still obsessed about that ideia of "beginning".

So let`s talk about one of the biggest names in music history: CHUCK BERRY!

This release of 1998 provides you a good overview of Chuck Berry`s production.

As you i`ll hear, he establishes a new musical concept in which the blues begins to sound a little bit more than blues...that`s the beggining of the rock`n`roll!!

The trasition from blues to rock and also other Berry`s influences can be clearly noticed in this album.

I know there are some controversy about who created the rock`n`roll. My opinion is that Elvis Presley was the king of Chuck Berry`s kingdom...rsrsrsrs

If you like it you should check the 2008`s movie Cadillac Records that tells the story of Berry`s first rec, Chess Records.

I also need to say thanks to Dj Uilson from Professor Groove blog where I`ve found this jewel sometime ago. You can pay him a visit anytime and I`m sure you `ll find something good to fill up your ears!!

Track list
01. Nadine
02. Fraulein
03. Guitar Boogie
04. The The Things I Used to Do
05. Don't You Lie to Me
06. Driftin' Blues
07. Liverpool Drive
08. No Particular Place to Go
09. Lonely All the Time
10. Jaguar and Thunderbird
11. O Rangutang
12. You Two
13. Deep Feeling
14. Bye Bye Johnny
15. You Never Can Tell
16. Diploma for Two
17. The The Little Girl from Central
18. The The Way It Was Before
19. Around and Around
20. Big Ben
21. The The Promised Land
22. Back in the U.S.A.
23. Run Around
24. Brenda Lee
25. Reelin' and Rockin'
26. Come On

Get in touch.. (320)

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Cooking on Sunday!

Definetely Sunday isn`t the best day...

...However there are somethings you can do for a smoother day. You can try doing something to relax like reading a book, watching a movie...just because its a music blog, my proposition is hearing music.


So meet Tommy Guerrero!

ANOTHER LATE NIGHT - TOMMY GUERRERO

This guy used to be involved in the skateboard scene (former professional skateboarder) but his music is far from being classified as general hip hop style.

In this "Another Late Night" release he shows much of his musical luggage that includes, but is not limited to, funk, rock and blues. In other words it`s a great compilation to inspire your culinary skills and distract your ears when cooking on a sleepy Sunday.

Tracklist:
1. Can't Get Up If You Can't Get Down - Band of the US Navy Liberation Forces,
2. Tomcat - Muddy Waters
3. Slippin' into Darkness - Ramsey Lewis
4. Taboo - Santana
5. Funky - The Chambers Brothers
6. Same Brown Earth - Latin Playboys
7. I'm Her Daddy - Bill Withers
8. Funkiest Man Alive - Rufus Thomas
9. Euphrates - The Main Ingredient
10. One More Time - Cymande
11. Web - Hampton Hawes
12. Viva Tirado - El Chicano
13. Is It Because I'm Black - Syl Johnson
14. Vitamin C - Can
15. Summer Song - Ronnie Foster
16. Come Together - Tommy Guerrero
17. Peepshow, Pts. 2 and 3


Check it out! (320)


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